rabbit shock

Question
One of our rabbits (Tiger) came home yesterday after having an operation on his teeth and we were told to keep him inside over night,this morning are dog a toy Yorkie (lily) got free in the house without anyone realizing and attacked Tiger,when i came into the lounge to find Lily on the sofa and Tiger in his box laying on his side but still breathing i was in total shock,straight away i called the vet and took him straight in(are local vet is only 5min away but none was in to see Tiger so i had to go to the vets 20mins away) all the way there Tiger way fine and i could hear him trying to move in the box,by the time i arrived at the vets he was dead and i was heart broken,when the vet checked him over she said that nothing was broken and there were no signs of anything and that it must have been the shock and that shock if the most common thing 4 rabbits 2 die of.

when i found him i felt taking him 2 the vet was the right thing to do but now i find myself asking what if?
The vet said there was nothing i could have done and if i had got there sooner there is nothing they could have done,I am upset that a family pet would do this and mad that there was none to see me at the local vets.

I keep crying and i don't want too because i know what happened has happened and i cant change that but if it was shock could i have not just calmed him down at home?I'm scared that being in a car right after it happened scared him even more.i thought i was doing the right thing but know i just don't know.

Answer
Dear Lucinda,

I am sorry about this horrific loss.  

It does sound as if the shock of the attack was the cause of death, in the absence of any sign of serious injury, and this can happen quite easily to a rabbit who feels trapped by a predator and unable to escape.  They just shut down.

Shock can be treated, but it must be done quickly.  Many vets will administer a short-acting corticosteroid, subcutaneous fluids, and be sure the body temperature is stabilized at a normal level.  It is vital to keep the bunny quiet and in a peaceful setting away from any source of stress.  If the bunny trusts humans, then gentle caressing and talking can help calm him down and speed recovery.

I am sorry this comes too late to help your bunny, and it's possible that by the time you found him the shock had progressed too far for anything to be done.  There is no way to know for sure.  But I know you tried everything possible to save your bunny.  I am very, very sorry.

I hope this helps in some small way.

Dana